Number of working S. Korean elderly reaches 5.7 mln in January 2024, up 6 percent year-on-year

SEOUL -- Recent data released by South Korea's state statistical information service has shown that the number of working South Koreans aged 60 and older reached 5,404,000 as of January 2024, up six percent compared to the same period last year. However, employed South Koreans in their 20s decreased by 1.3 percent year-on-year. South Korea is facing rapid aging, with estimates indicating that by 2073, about 30 percent of the population will be aged 75 years and older. This dem

February 16, 2024

Robot maker Robotis provides autonomous delivery robot to Japanese hospital

SEOUL -- GAEMI, an autonomous delivery robot created by South Korea's robot developer Robotis, has been deployed at a general hospital run by Japan's major medical group Tokushukai. Depending on the result of the test run, the Japanese hospital will adopt the self-driving robot, which can travel between floors using an elevator. Robotis said in a statement Shonan Kamakura General Hospital would demonstrate GAEMI by February 22. The medical facility is located in Kanagawa,

February 16, 2024

BLACKPINK agency to seek new K-pop artists through audition in Japan

SEOUL -- Girl band BLACKPINK's agency YG Entertainment will collaborate with Japan's entertainment agency Avex to hold an audition in Japan. Regardless of nationality and gender, anyone born between 2003 and 2013 can apply for the audition, which seeks talented K-pop artists. YG Entertainment said the "YG x Avex Audition 2024" will take place in seven cities in Japan in April, starting in Sapporo on April 7. The other six cities include Nagoya, Fukuoka, Osaka, a

February 16, 2024

LG Chem to work with food company CJ Cheiljedang for eco-friendly nylon business

SEOUL -- South Korea's major chemical company LG Chem has partnered with CJ Cheiljedang, a key subsidiary of South Korea's food and entertainment giant CJ Group, to establish a joint plant for bio nylon. The eco-friendly nylon, utilized in automotive, electronic devices, and textile industries, has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions. Bio nylon is derived from green materials like corn and sugarcane and offers high heat resistance and durability, similar

February 15, 2024

[OPINION] Britain's Royal Family is Important for Them – and Us

KENOSHA -- King Charles III of Britain is undergoing treatment for cancer. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak added to the public announcement that the health challenge had been &ld

February 15, 2024

S. Korea establishes diplomatic ties with Cuba

SEOUL -- South Korea and Cuba promised to stay as good friends by formalizing diplomatic relations between Seoul and Havana, despite escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The Latin American country, well-known for its socialist and communist roots, is now South Korea's 193rd ally. South Korea sees this diplomatic establishment as a crucial milestone in strengthening its presence in Central and South America. The formalization of diplomatic relations between South Korea

February 15, 2024

Pulmuone selected as top S. Korean food company in corporate sustainability assessment

SEOUL -- South Korea's food company Pulmuone has received the highest score among domestic food makers in the sustainability assessment by S&P Global, a New York-based credit rating agency. In the global sustainability evaluation, which involved 260 food companies, the Seoul-based food provider secured the fifth position. S&P Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) is recognized as a globally trusted indicator in the field of corporate sustainability evaluation and i

February 14, 2024

LS Cable partners with VAC to launch joint venture specializing in rare earth magnets

SEOUL -- South Korea's major cable company LS Cable & System has partnered with Vacuumschmelze, Europe's top company specializing in the development and production of magnetic materials, to establish a joint venture. LS Cable specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of various cables and systems for a wide range of industries, including power transmission and distribution, telecommunications, and automotive sectors. The company is recognized as a leading playe

February 14, 2024

LG Energy Solution partners with Australian lithium producer to secure EV raw material

SEOUL -- LG Energy Solution, the battery-making wing of South Korea's LG Group, has partnered with Australia's lithium producer WesCEF to receive lithium concentrate, a core raw material for electric vehicle batteries. The South Korean battery maker will secure up to 85,000 tons of lithium concentrate, enough for about 270,000 high-performance electric vehicles with a range of more than 500 kilometers (310.7 miles) on a single charge. Lithium concentrate serves as raw mat

February 14, 2024

30% of S. Korean teenagers believe marriage is necessary: survey

SEOUL -- Only about 30 percent of South Korean teenagers believe that marriage is necessary, according to data released by a state-operated youth policy institute. The perception of marriage among teenagers has shifted over the past decade in a country where the fertility rate has plummeted from 1.24 in 2015 to 0.7 in 2023. South Korea is rapidly aging and is expected to face rapid depopulation in 2025 when the fertility rate drops to 0.65. While the country's administrative b

February 14, 2024